Too, too fast.

Today, I looked up, and Elijah was a kid. Um. What? When did that happen??

Fridays are music class days, and somehow we're always running late. Today was no exception, and when I realized what time it was, I asked Elijah to go upstairs to get his clothes. I specifically said, "Elijah, go upstairs and get a shirt, some socks, and the jeans from the top of the stairs." I was hoping he'd do it, but honestly I was working under the assumption that he'd make it upstairs and even pick out a shirt, after which I'd come up and help him finish. I got busy with Wriston and myself and was just about to skip my makeup in order to find Elijah when he reappeared. He said, "Mommy, I did it. I got a football shirt, soccer socks, and my pants." He did exactly what I asked, and he did it without my hanging over him and nagging, and within a normal time frame. He beamed with pride when I praised him, then proceeded to get dressed. All by himself. The socks took a little maneuvering, and he did try to put on his shirt over his pajama shirt. But really, he dressed himself, including shoes. And off we went to music class, late but happy.

After class, we were chatting with Miss Rachel before we left. When we stopped paying attention to Elijah for just a minute, he started saying, "Mommy! Mommy! Watch me!" When I did, he turned to the well-labeled shoe cubbie and pointed to the letters one at a time, saying, "S-H-O-E-S" and smiling proudly. Blew. me. away. When we got home, I made him do it again. I took a video, but I don't know how to load it, so you might see it someday.

Both of my boys seem like they wake up some mornings and just decide to do something, and after that it's just a part of everyday life. I am so proud of Elijah, which somehow seems ridiculous because there are literally a billion people who dress themselves and recognize letters. But it's still stunning to watch. And all I can think is, God, You are a mighty creator, and I am in awe of this creature You have entrusted to me. I pray I can teach him well.

How Is It Done?

Really. How do you get any work done at all when both kids are awake? Seriously. Tell me.

*Edit two hours later: I figured it out. Attach the small one to your body. Sweat profusely. And then turn on the television. Because I'm only human. And even if the 2 1/2-year-old follows you from room to room before running back to watch The Wild Kratts, you can take solace in the fact that he learned that pigeons eat old french fries. Or something.

6 Weeks of Chaos

Well, we had a baby. An 8 lb., 15 oz., 22" long bouncing baby boy named Wriston Wade. Wriston was my paternal grandfather's middle name, and Wade was my maternal great-grandfather's middle name. (Their first names were Loy and Clancy, respectively, so we decided to go with middle names instead.) I think our Wriston will hold them up well.

And the best part? With him, I got my patience, my sense of humor, and most of my body back. It's like I'm a real person again.

I had him December 12th, we came home on the 14th, Christmas was a mere 11 days later and included seeing almost all of our families. My parents came down and hung out for a couple days, then returned the next weekend for New Year's (we were all in bed before 11 p.m., though). We spent the next couple weeks trying to get into a routine, although it was much more difficult than I had anticipated. The boys seem never to sleep at the same time, so that's a challenge. We have been more than blessed with great attitudes, though, so I will NOT complain -- Elijah has been an absolute JOY with Wriston. He calls him buddy, wants to help (but doesn't get upset when we tell him he can't), and has only shown the slightest sign of jealousy, and even that was easily assuaged. I am so proud of him. Michael traveled a little, and I realized that I am actually capable of doing this on my own. And just as I was starting to get a little confidence, my body decided to rebel.

Around midnight on the 13th, I started having really terrible stomach pain. This wasn't unusual during my pregnancy, but I had always chalked it up to the hyperemesis (and my babies having a lot of hair). The pain was pretty intense -- one attack while I was pregnant had me writhing on the floor and begging Michael to call an ambulance. This last one wasn't that bad, but it was pretty intense. I got up, took some fiber supplements and some Tums, and prayed for sleep. Eventually the pain subsided enough that I could rest, and I figured that this, like the other times, was a one-off occurrence and I would be better the next day. Too bad for me, the attacks lasted all. day. on Friday. After much searching on WebMD, a phone call to Bethany, and a visit to urgent care, I got an ultrasound that confirmed gallstones and guaranteed a quick surgery to have my gallbladder removed. I had to wait until the 18th, but out it came. My sister left her own family for 5 days to help take care of me, my mother came for 4 days, and then Michael left town and my mother-in-law came for 3. Because, you know, I hadn't used up all my favors from them when I was pregnant. Sheesh. 

A week and a half later, I am 97% back to normal, and soooooo ready to get back to my life... a life that doesn't revolve around my health and what I can't do. Not picking up Elijah for a week -- again -- may have been one of the most frustrating things I've been through so far. And poor Elijah... he must think his mother is a permanent invalid. He doesn't trust me much anymore, and we're re-learning our relationship. But that's an issue for another post. For now, I will pray for a smidgen of normalcy, a moment of undramatic, blissful quiet. Until it's not.

Is it 7 yet? ... Now? ... Now?

Michael and I both caught Elijah's bug. And even though it's affecting us differently, we're both miserable. I, however, can still move around, so the t.v. is I am taking care of the baby (like a champ, if I do say so myself). He took a 2 1/2-hour nap, which is amazing, but for the last hour, I've just been waiting impatiently for 7 o'clock so I can put him to bed. I'm a really good mom.

While trying to distract myself from what a bad mom I am, I found this article about having a baby, and it made me really emotional. I guess it could be the sickness, but it really spoke to me about how I felt after Elijah was born, and it made me feel good to know that I'm not the only one who was scared to talk about it. I definitely didn't go into it thinking it would be a fairy tale, but I wasn't expecting what I got.

Only 20 minutes till dinner time for the boy.....